fore antibiotic therapy is initiated, unless the etiology of the illness is immediately recognizable and determinable, I think a waiting period is a good idea. On the other hand, some effort should be made by physicians and laboratories to isolate the cause of the illness before a week or two passes. Maybe there should be some emphasis on the development of quicker and more precise analytical tools.The time has come to recognize bacterial resistance as a global problem. Reversal of the trend towards antibiotic resistance requires a broad awareness of the consequences of antibiotic overuse. The perspective must go beyond curing bacterial disease right now (3). This understanding must extend to the need to preserve microbial communities that are susceptible to antibiotics, so they will always be able to out-compete resistant strains....
